Slow Travel in Lignano

At the beginning of September, the big hustle and bustle on the beach slowly subsides. Then come relaxed days with perfect water temperatures, lots of sunshine without much heat and space and time for deceleration, relaxation and immersion in the cuisine, cellar and culture of the area. Lignano in late summer is the place to reset yourself and recharge your batteries for autumn. Deceleration is not a foreign word here.

Terrazza a Mare

The journey to Lignano Sabbiadoro went smoothly and I found myself at the impressive Grand Hotel Playa. The hotel exuded an air of elegance and promised a pleasant stay. From the hotel it is only a 5-minute walk to Terrazza a Mare, a shell-shaped restaurant on the water. There, a refreshing aperitif and snacks awaited us while we enjoyed the breathtaking view of the sea. Martin Manera, President of the hotel association Consorzio Lignano Holiday, gave us insights into the history and development of this charming seaside resort. The initiative “IO sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” promised local culinary delights on the menus of the beach cafés and restaurants, a promising culinary journey of discovery.

River Delta Stella

We continued on the water. At the marina, a pontoon boat was waiting to take us on a relaxing trip through the picturesque lagoon of Marano. Here I could admire the unique river delta of the Stella and get to know the traditional fishermen’s huts, the so-called casoni. The connection with nature and the idyllic atmosphere of the lagoon captivated my senses and made me forget the stress of everyday life.

Dinner at the Bilancia di Bepi restaurant on the Stella River was a feast for the senses. The authentic cuisine and the breathtaking scenery made this evening an unforgettable experience. Full, we returned to the hotel later and enjoyed the first day of this trip to the fullest.

Bike Tour

The next morning we went to Terrazza a Mare again. There our guide Fabio Moro and our bikes were waiting for us. The bike tours are organised by the tourist office and participation and bike rental is free. It was a refreshing change to explore Lignano by bike away from the beaches. Over thirty kilometres of cycle paths on the peninsula made for environmentally friendly and comfortable travel, allowing us to discover the region in all its diversity. Particularly fascinating was the new “Bike & Hike” tour, where we were led by a guide through the breathtaking nature both by bike and on foot. The pine forests, fossil dunes and the mouth of the Tagliamento River offered us a fascinating insight into the beauty of the surroundings and allowed us to escape from the hectic everyday life.

Bird Watching in Marano Lagunare

After lunch we continued our journey and went on a boat trip to Marano Lagunare. Bird watching at Marano Lagunare proved to be a truly unique and fascinating experience. When we reached the visitor centre of the nature reserve, we were greeted by a knowledgeable biologist who introduced us to the special fauna and flora of this lagoon. The Marano lagoon is a true paradise for birdwatchers as it is home to a rich variety of bird species, including rare and endangered species.

During our bird watching excursion, we were able to observe the majestic water birds in their natural environment. The calm and serenity of these birds living in the shallow waters and reed belts of the lagoon were impressive. The biologist explained to us the way of life and the adaptations of these birds to the special conditions of the lagoon, which deepened our understanding of nature and its subtle nuances.

Marano Lagunare

After bird watching, we headed towards the centre. A walk through the picturesque fishing village of Marano Lagunare, with its Venetian architecture, took us back in time. Dinner at the Taverna al Pescatore in Marano Lagunare rounded off the day perfectly. The fish dishes were a real treat for the palate and the relaxed atmosphere of the place put us in a special mood. With many new impressions, we returned to the hotel and looked forward to the next day full of discoveries.

Azienda Agricola

The next morning began with an exciting visit to local producers who gave us an insight into the variety of regional specialities. Our first stop took us to the Azienda Agricola di Geremia Davide in the municipality of Latisana. Here we were able to experience the artisanal processing of table fruit into juices, jams and dried fruit at first hand. The quality of the products, which came from our own production, was impressive and reflected the passion of the producer.

Winery Battista II

Our next visit took us to the Battista II winery, which not only produced first-class wines from classic and autochthonous grape varieties, but also unique varieties such as Ribolla Gialla, Rosato, Moscato and Prosecco. The tasting of these exquisite wines was a highlight for the senses and showed the diversity of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

Meet the Giraffes at Zoo Punta Verde

After lunch at the Golf Club Lignano, the next item on the agenda was the visit to the giraffes at the Punta Verde Zoo. The visit to the giraffes at Punta Verde Zoo was undoubtedly an unforgettable and moving experience. The opportunity to get up close to these majestic animals from a platform was a unique highlight. Together with a zookeeper, we prepared food and had the opportunity to observe the world’s largest mammals from a very special perspective. The face-to-face meeting with the giraffes was not only impressive but also educational, as the zookeeper gave us valuable insights into the behaviour and needs of these fascinating animals.

But even more important was the realisation that giraffes are now an endangered species, with less than 90,000 in the wild. The fact that Punta Verde Zoo, together with Punta Verde ONLUS, is supporting local measures to protect the giraffes delighted us greatly. The donations to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation help to secure the future of these amazing animals. The visit to the giraffes at Punta Verde Zoo was thus not only an unforgettable experience, but also an opportunity to actively contribute to the protection of this endangered species and to understand the importance of conservation.